Left to right: Mike Pastir, General Manager, CRF Agritech, Joe Brady, Chief Financial Officer, Pursell, along with Lisa Thompson, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and Casper Kaastra, CEO, Sollio Agriculture. (Oscar LaVerde Photography)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Major Facility

Multi-million dollar controlled-release fertilizer plant opens in Ontario

Sep 20, 2023 | 1:37 PM

Sollio Agriculture has opened a new controlled-release fertilizer production plant in Ontario.

The $25 million facility is situated in St. Thomas, near London.

It’s expected to supply fertilizer for farmers across all of Eastern Canada and the Northeastern United States.

“Ontario farmers need to access a complete and effective toolbox when it comes to the planting, growing, and harvesting of good quality crops and food, across the province,” said Lisa Thompson, Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

This fertilizer will be coated with micronutrients and biostimulants which will provide gradual nutrient release in the soil. According to the International Fertilizer Association, coated fertilizer can reduce the quantity needed by as much as 30 per cent.

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“The new coating plant in St. Thomas is in line with Sollio Agriculture’s efforts to promote sustainable practices that reduce the environmental impact of farming activities and innovate with alternative products while maintaining the goal of ensuring the prosperity of Canadian farmers,” said Casper Kaastra, the CEO of Sollio Agriculture.

Meanwhile, Sollio Agriculture’s research team and McGill University believe this fertilizer has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow